Serving tray



E, PROVOST SERVING TRA Y July 12, 193.8.

Filed April l5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. PROVOST July 12, 1938.

SERVING TRAY .Filed April 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 me/who@ [a ed@ Prac/asf Patented July l2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE 2,123,251 VsEaviNc. 'may Eulebe Provost, Houston, Tex. Application Ap'rn is, me, serial No. 14.046

s claim. (ci. ici-1o) This invention relates to serving trays and more particularly to serving trays of the type which are designed for attachment and use on automobiles.

One object of the invention is to provide a tray which can be readily attached to and removed froxn the side of an automobile.

A second object of the invention is to provide a tray having an improved arrangement oi receptacles for glasses, bottles, and the like.

A third object of the invention is to provide a tray having illuminating means.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a tray comprising a frame for the reception of written matter such as menus and advertising.

Other objects of the invention will appear-in the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tray embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view ofthe tray illustrated in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view oi' the tray illustrated in Fig. 1 and of the door of an automobile, the section of the tray being taken on line 3-3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the modified form of tray.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. l, the view showing the construction of one of the holders or receptacles of the tray, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the tray illustrated in Fig. 4, the section being taken through one of the receptacles of such tray.

The tray illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 5 comprises a plate III formed with upstanding edges II, which are curled over at their upper ends. The plate I0 is designed to be supported from the door of an automobile by two hooks I2 and a brace I3 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3, the automobile door being indicated in such figure by the numeral I4. The hooks I2 extend under the curled portions of the edges II of the plate III, and are secured to the edges II by soldering or brazing. The brace I3 is attached to the plate III by means of a bar I8 secured to bottom of the plate by rivets I8, and comprises an upper member I1 and a telescopically associated lower member I8.

The upper'member I1 of the brace I3 is U- shaped in cross-section, and is constructed with a pair of ears I9, which straddle the bar I8 and which receive a pin extending across the top of the bar. 'I'he member I1 is further constructed 4moved into operative positionl with its lower end depressed receptacles 28 for the accommodation with a slot 2l for reception of a threaded pin 22 carried by the lower member I8, and with a spring clip 23 secured to its lower end and formed with roller portions 24 which extend over the member I8. Theqmember I3 is provided at its lower end 5 with a rubber member 25 for engagement with the door of the automobile, and carries a wing nut 28mounted on the pin -22 through which it is adjustably clamped in position with respect. to the member I1. 10 The pin 20 is so located with respect to the upper end of the rear web 2'I of the member I3 that the brace can be slid longitudinally of the bar I5 when the lower end of the brace is 'ele-1 vated, but co-operates with the upper end of the web 2l to grip the bar I8 when the braceis engaging the side of the door of the automobile. I'he plate I0 is constructed with a plurality of of bottles and glasses. Eight such receptacles have been shown arranged along the sides and back of the plate, but any desired number of receptacles, arranged in any desiredmanner, may be used. AThe receptacles 28 consist of metal cups 29 set in apertures formed in the plate I9 as illustrated in Fig. 5. Such cups are formed with flanges 30 which engage with the upper surface of the plate I0 and with apertures 32 to permit the drainage of liquid therefrom. They are secured in place by soldering flanges 38 to upper surface of the .plate Ill. If desired, such cups maybe fitted with rubber inserts, 33.i.'ormed with apertlres 34 designed to register with the apertures 3 Secured in an aperture formed in the rear por 3 tion of the plate III, there is a box-like receptacle 35 having a hinged lid 35a. This receptacle ls designed for the reception of sugar or other substances which it may be desired to protect from moisture.

Secured to the bottom of the receptacle 33 there is a second box-like structure 38 designed to receive an electric battery, and mounted on the rear 4oi.' the tray there are two standardsjl fitted with fixtures 38 for the reception of electric light bulbs 39. The receptacle 38 is connected to the fixture 38 by means of wires 40 designed to convey electrical energy from a battery in such receptacle to the lights 39, and mounted on the side of the receptacle 38, there is a switch 4I for making and breaking the electrical connections between the battery and the lights. The standards 31 are constructed with flexible metal conduits 31a adjacent theilxtures 38 which permit adjustment oi' the light bulbs with respect to the plate III.

Mounted on the up-turned edges of the plate I0 at the rear thereof, there is a removable frame 42 designed for the reception of written matter such as menus and advertising. Such frame comprises a ange 43 which extends inside the edges of the tray, and a plurality of spring clips 44 which are sprung over the curled upper ends of the edges of the tray to secure the frame in position. The back portion of such frame is constructed with front and rear walls 45 and 46, between which the written matter is inserted and with openings 41 for the display of written matter. The sides of the frame are formed with iianges 48 designed to overlap inserted written matter and with apertures 49 for the display .of such matter.

The tray illustrated in Figures 4 and 6 is very similar in construction to the tray illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, and like numerals have been used to indicate corresponding parts. Such tray diiters from the ilrst described tray in that the hooks I2 are constructed with shorter downward extensions, and in that the receptacles 28 are constructed in a diiferent manner by being formed integral with plates III as illustrated in Fig. 6.

To apply either tray to an automobile, the hooks I2 are first inserted over the sill of the window of the automobile with the brace I 3 withdrawn to the rear of the bar I5, and with the member I8 secured or heid in retracted position. The brace I3 is then moved forward to a proper bracing position and the member I8 extended into engagement with the door, sufficient force being applied to cause the upper end of the member I1 to tightly grip the bar I5. After the member I0 has been extended as described, the nut 26 is tightened completing the attachment.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An attachment for a serving tray comprising a U-shaped frame having spaced walls with openings in the inner wail thereof for the reception and display of written matter, a flange on said frame comprising a downward extension of the inner wall of the frame and designed to tit within the upstanding edge of a tray, and spring clips on the ends and back of said frame adapted to be sprung over the outside edge of the tray to secure the frame in position.

2. An attachment for a serving tray comprising a double walled frame, said walls being spaced apart to provide a. recess adapted for reception of printed matter between the walls, a window in one of said walls, for display of said printed matter, a flange on said frame comprising a downward extension of the inner wall designed to engage a portion of the tray, and spring clips on the frame adapted to engage the tray and secure the frame upon the tray.

3. An attachment for a serving tray comprising a double walled U-shaped frame adapted to be positioned along three edges of a serving tray, said frame having openings in the inner wall thereof for reception and display of printed matter, and spring clips on the back and ends of said frame to resiliently engage the tray and secure the frame to the tray.

EUZEBE PROVOST. 

